JARAGUA DO SUL, Brazil – Using the type of strength countryman Gleison Tibau is known for in the UFC’s lightweight division, Francisco Trinaldo took a step up the UFC ladder on Saturday.

Trinaldo submitted Mike Rio from half-guard with an arm-triangle choke in the first round, not long after Tibau submitted John Cholish with a guillotine choke. Trinaldo’s power helped him get the win at the 3:08 mark of the first.

The lightweight bout was part of Saturday’s UFC on FX 8 event at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. It aired with the FUEL TV prelims ahead of the FX-televised main card.

Trinaldo landed a left hand early, but Rio tried to answer back. He ate another left, but got a takedown off of it. On the ground, the American worked for a choke and controlled Trinaldo’s neck with a front headlock.

When Trinaldo got back to his feet, Rio had him briefly in trouble with a standing guillotine. But the Brazilian popped his neck free and looked for a takedown of his own. Midway through the frame, Trinaldo got a takedown, then slowly worked for an arm-triangle choke. And once he had it secured, though he was in half-guard, he was able to use his power to force Rio to tap.

“It’s my second submission win in a row, and this arm-triangle choke is something that I train a lot,” Trinaldo said. “As long as I’m winning, I will be happy. But I have been praying for a nice knockout for the fans.”

“I knew he was strong, but he is stronger than I thought,” Rio said. “I believe that’s what caught me off guard at first. The submission wasn’t totally adjusted, but he was so strong that he squeezed me and got it. I felt going in that the crowd was very anti-me, but as I left the octagon they were all very respectful.”

Trinaldo (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) won for the second straight time and now has stoppages in all three of his UFC victories. Rio (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), a veteran of Season 15 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” had a three-fight win streak snapped and lost for the first time in the UFC.

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